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5 Best Apple Whiskeys to Sip by the Fire

By J. Fergus Apr 21, 2021 1:10 AM

sipping whiskey fire — GummyBone/Getty Images

As the temperature drops, we reach for the soothing beverages of the season, from hot cocoa to spiced apple cider. Alcoholic cider gets a bad reputation for its sweetness and low proof, but you can still get a taste of the holidays in your booze. Pour something a little stronger and get cozy in front of a fire (or a looping video of one). We tracked down the best apple-flavored whiskeys that back up that saccharine palate with a gentle burn.

Evan Williams Apple Bourbon

Evan Williams Apple Bourbon — Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you want more of an apple pie flavor, this is the best bang for your buck. Tart green apple mixes with caramel and spices for this enjoyable bourbon. It’s definitely on the sweeter side, so depending on your taste, you could forego any simple syrup in your holiday cocktails.

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Rattlesnake Rosie’s Apple Pie

Rattlesnake Rosie’s Apple Pie — Image used with permission by copyright holder

For a more refined apple pie taste, try Rattlesnake Rosie’s moonshine. You get a strong, bourbon apple pie taste with hints of creaminess and some sneaky peach notes. If you’re sensitive to nutmeg, this might not be for you, but the spices add depth to this dessert whiskey.

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple Whiskey

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple Whiskey — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Each sip of this whiskey manages to be sweet without being cloying, a significant feat considering it’s not particularly spice forward. Enjoy this new offering from Jack Daniel’s is best enjoyed on the rocks or in a cocktail. It plays best at a party, swaying non-whiskey drinkers while still impressing connoisseurs.

J. Seeds Apple Cider Whiskey

J. Seeds Apple Cider Whiskey — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Most apple whiskey variations come out tasting like pie or apple juice. J. Seeds captures the essence of fall by producing an apple cider whiskey. It opens up as an apple cider and brings along some cinnamon applesauce for the ride, before finishing with the familiar burn of corn whiskey.

Stillhouse Apple Crisp Whiskey

Stillhouse Apple Crisp Whiskey — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Stillhouse’s moonshine lineup often tastes like a cocktail right out of the tin, and its Apple Crisp Whiskey is no different. Stillhouse actually makes a complete apple crisp liqueur and then infuses that with the brand’s signature whiskey. The resulting whiskey goes down smooth with a little cinnamon and ginger kick to offset the apple flavor.

J. loves writing about the vices of life — decadent food, strong drinks, potent cannabis, and increasingly invasive… Read Full Bio

Classic lagers to drink if you want your beer to “taste like beer”

Pilsner Urquell

When you think about the flavor of beer, what do you imagine? To me, it’s a crisp, refreshing, no-frills lager. The type of beer you’d just as likely crack open on an unseasonably warm spring day while grilling as you would after an afternoon of mowing the lawn on a hot, hazy, humid summer day. It’s light, refreshing, and tastes like beer.

That’s not to say that there isn’t a place for chocolate- and coffee-centric porters or boozy, barrel-aged stouts, or even tart, lip-smacking sour beers. There is a time and place for those and many other styles. It’s just that sometimes I want to crack open a beer and not taste an explosion of tropical fruit juices or get bashed in the head with malts or oaky wood. I want a beer that tastes the way I imagine it should. Specifically, I’m thinking about a balanced, thirst-quenching lager.

SimplyGoodCoffee’s plastic-free brewer just got a major upgrade

SimplyGoodCoffee

SimplyGoodCoffee, a brand known for its innovative plastic-free coffee brewers, just dropped the next generation of plastic-free drip brewers. Pairing an exceptional cup of coffee with the one feature the original brewer was missing, the new SimplyGoodCoffee plastic-free programmable brewer lets coffee lovers wake up to a freshly brewed pot without sending hot or cold water through any aluminum or plastic.

As coffee drinkers become increasingly aware of what’s really going into their cup, this new launch includes a series of thoughtful upgrades from the original model. Beyond the programmability feature, the stainless-steel internal water pipe has been replaced with glass, the reservoir cover is now silicone, and the carafe and lid have been redesigned for an easier fit and greater durability. It also features an automatic drip-stop, a more efficient heater, improved water-level sensing, and programming that stays saved for up to three days during a power outage. The result? A smarter morning coffee routine upgrade for anyone looking to reduce plastic exposure without sacrificing a stellar cup of coffee.

Basil Hayden’s New Limited Expression Combines Kentucky Bourbon Craftsmanship with French Cognac Character

Alcohol, Beverage, Liquor

If you’ve been lucky enough to hit the Bourbon Trail, you’ve more than likely visited Basil Hayden at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Claremont, Kentucky. It’s undoubtedly a rite of passage when you’re there for the best bourbon in the world. This week, Basil Hayden ventured into an area no one expected but wants to try: Basil Hayden has just released a limited-edition cognac expression that stays true to the signature Basil Hayden profile bourbon lovers have come to love.

The renowned bourbon company is introducing the Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve, the brand’s first new liquid in years. Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve is a refined new expression that explores the influence of French cognac casks to create an unexpected, beautifully balanced flavor experience. According to Basil Hayden, the Cognac Cask Reserve takes the brand’s signature high-rye, 80-proof bourbon and finishes it in specially selected French Cognac casks. The process brings rich layers of dried fruit, caramel, vanilla, subtle spice, and oak to Basil Hayden’s profile.